We’re posting this now (because we didn’t in the hectic aftermath of the amazing Pegisha/Shabbaton weekend and) since we used it again in a summer alumni postcard as we’re closing out this year’s “Hakhel” Year of gathering and unity.
SYMBOLISM IN JEWNITY LOGO
“Jewnity” was the theme of the regional Chabad on Campus Upstate Pegisha/Shabbaton hosted this 5783/2023 in Albany NY. It was the 4th and largest Pegisha we hosted yet, fitting for a Hakhel Year of gathering.
A word about our “Jewnity” logo (thanks to Chani Rubin for the great design): The word Jewnity spans from one end to the other, boldly and dynamically embracing and connecting both extremes (left to right). These letters flow one into the other, interconnected, inseparable. At its heart, popping out at the core, is one big bright flame.
Tanya 32 teaches us that true love of our fellow, a real sense of community, comes from recognizing and tapping into the connective core, our shared soulfulness, the feel of family, where we are one and indivisible despite whatever external differences.
We’ve incorporated Chabad on Campus International’s flame design, because the flame represents the soul, especially the soul-core, the Pintele Yid, its awareness of that 5th & deepest level of soul, where we really connect and Jewnity is a reflection of that. (You may notice an inner darker & outer brighter parts of the flame, there’s a lot of meaningfully relevant Chassidus on that, be sure to discuss and learn about it – and many other things – with your Chabad Rabbis when you get home).
Why do dance in (Hakafot) circles on Simchat Torah? Some at UAlbany may remember Rabbi Israel Rubin’s listing of 7 reasons, but without going in circles, a circle represents unity as there’s no start nor finish, no beginning or end. Everyone in the loop! Jewnity logo is circular!
Chabad on Campus is inscribed in the long reach of the Y, because what Chabad on Campus stands for is the Why for what we do.